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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > How to avoid alarms? (Viewed 2578 times)
MysteriousExpedition  


Location: Chicago, Illinois
Total Likes: 129 likes


"Adventure is out there"- Charles Muntz

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How to avoid alarms?
< on 7/13/2020 10:47 PM >
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I'm pretty sure this has been asked before.
But would one avoid triggering any alarms? And how would you even know where alarms are located? it's been something that's been in the back of my mind for a while and it's definitely something to be weary of. I'm always in constant fear that I could accidentally trip one off without even knowing why or how.





Aran 


Location: Kansas City
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 1839 likes


Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: How to avoid alarms?
< Reply # 1 on 7/14/2020 3:03 PM >
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In my experience there are two types of electronic security systems usually used. The first of these are security cameras. In a truly abandoned building, you're most likely to run into the motion activated infrared variety, which usually look like this and are installed so that their field of view covers specific areas, such as doorways, hallways, or large rooms.



The telltale sign that you're dealing with an infrared camera is the circle of bulbs surrounding the main camera lens. These may or may not glow red depending on the model. In most cases I've encountered, these do not record until they detect motion or heat, and since they are infrared low light will not obscure you. They may contain an SD card that can be removed and wiped, but most cameras like this I've encountered are hooked up to a small internet modem that transmits the images to an offsite location, and may trigger a silent alarm as soon as the camera is activated depending on if the building sees regular visits from maintenance workers or not. Sometime's they'll make a click sound when tripped, but not always. These cameras are usually fairly short range, with effective range being about 150 yards indoors. Your best bet is to see it before it sees you, and one of the ways you can do this is with your phone. If you have a phone camera that doesn't have an infrared filter, IR cameras will glow purple on your screen. This can get a lot longer if you're dealing with cameras being actively watched by security guards, but that's a different topic.

The other main method of electronic security I've seen are just motion detectors. Motion detector sensors look like this, and are usually installed in corners so that they cover entire room or at the ends of hallways.



While not all motion detectors are used for security (some are used just to trigger lights), you can tell if it's a security alarm because it's usually hooked up to a small box on a wall near the door via wires that serves as the control panel to arm and disarm the system. The alarm may be silent or loud. If you're not sure if you tripped it, look at the control panel- many models will have two lights, labeled "ready" and "armed." "Ready" means that the motion detectors are active but the alarm won't go off if they are tripped, while "armed" means that they will. Many motion detection alarm systems have a delay between when the sensors are tripped and when the alarm goes off to allow for the entry of a deactivation code at the control panel, so if you've tripped a sensor on an armed system you've usually got between 30 seconds and a minute or two before the alarm goes off. Sometimes the sensor itself has a little red light that will glow when tripped, though this is not always the case. I've personally verified with a ready and unarmed system I found in an abandonment that if you walk slowly enough in front of a motion detector you can successfully pass directly in front of it without tripping it, though you'd have to tiptoe at an absolutely glacial pace.



[last edit 7/14/2020 3:06 PM by Aran - edited 1 times]

"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

MysteriousExpedition  


Location: Chicago, Illinois
Total Likes: 129 likes


"Adventure is out there"- Charles Muntz

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Re: How to avoid alarms?
< Reply # 2 on 7/15/2020 2:57 AM >
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Thank you for the very detailed response!
This pretty much covered everything I needed to know. I remember seeing that video made by The Proper People on triggering an alarm at a power plant. Since seeing that video and the unnatural sound of the alarm, this has petrified to death haha




Sebk 


Location: Michigan
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 8 likes




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Re: How to avoid alarms?
< Reply # 3 on 7/15/2020 4:41 AM >
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One thing I also do besides looking for any motion detectors and cameras is if you are in a location that is fairly decayed is I look for electrical conduit that's much newer than everything else. Most times in my experience it leads to some sort of security device. If you are able to find it and if the building has one it can be helpful to check the electricity metering box. It won't tell you if there's a security system but if its off or reads 0 you are probably fine. I haven't ran into any battery powers security systems, but I've heard they do exist. If the meter says there's some draw its not always a security system, it could a damaged wire or even possibly a light on somewhere for some reason or tons of other odd things that have nothing to do with security.




MysteriousExpedition  


Location: Chicago, Illinois
Total Likes: 129 likes


"Adventure is out there"- Charles Muntz

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Re: How to avoid alarms?
< Reply # 4 on 7/15/2020 5:17 AM >
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Posted by Sebk
One thing I also do besides looking for any motion detectors and cameras is if you are in a location that is fairly decayed is I look for electrical conduit that's much newer than everything else. Most times in my experience it leads to some sort of security device. If you are able to find it and if the building has one it can be helpful to check the electricity metering box. It won't tell you if there's a security system but if its off or reads 0 you are probably fine. I haven't ran into any battery powers security systems, but I've heard they do exist. If the meter says there's some draw its not always a security system, it could a damaged wire or even possibly a light on somewhere for some reason or tons of other odd things that have nothing to do with security.


That's a really useful tip. As you said, recognizing modern security system, if possible, in a really decrepit building should help. That was one thing I was always keeping my eye out for when I explored but it's worth paying a lot of attention to




HornetWrath 


Location: San Antonio
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 79 likes




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Re: How to avoid alarms?
< Reply # 5 on 8/11/2020 11:57 PM >
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Honestly if there is a system in place then how worth it is it? Is it worth explaining to your employer or potential employer your hobby is criminal trespassing?

Just skip it and move on.. in the end urbex is embarrassing to a professional but too addicting to say no to.




I'm a lone explorer because I hate people.
plight 


Location: Bay Area, CA
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Re: How to avoid alarms?
< Reply # 6 on 8/14/2020 3:27 AM >
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Although the question might pertain more to abandoned sites I can offer some advice for more active locations. In my experience there are two main routes,
1. Taking the risk of triggering the alarm/tripping the sensor
OR
2. Committing to trigger the alarm/tripping the sensor (basically intentionally setting it off)

Often for construction sites I'll see some sort of advertisement or warning sign about who is running security for the property, then do some research to see what that company is all about. Sometimes this gets me a little more anxious, for example seeing a "Hall of Fame" and the words live patrol. By seeing more information and scouting the location I can gauge the seriousness of the company and whether or not I am willing to deal with an encounter with security. Given my experience with either faulty cameras/sensors or un-monitored cameras I will generally risk it. While doing this I keep an eye out for suspicious activity in and around the site, maybe a patrol car rolled up when I wasn't paying attention, I also have listened to police dispatch to see if the possible tripped sensor was forwarded to police. Unfortunately one time while doing this we were a little too dependent on the radio and thought we were all fine because we didn't hear anything. On the way out three police cars rolled up very quickly.

When you commit to trigger the alarm/sensor you should plan out all the outcomes. Generally this practice would be called social engineering. I've heard of putting official looking signs on stairwell doors saying there is alarm testing going on and to ignore alarm noises. There are many possible routes of infiltration by social engineering but sometimes its just about timing. For example: a roof that had sensors and alarms and cameras was a simple task when there was a very large party at the top floor lounge. With the thought security would be busy or distracted we decided to go up to the roof and see if security would show up, luckily we got up past the last door and hung around on the roof without any signs of security showing up. A couple months later I went on a normal day and before touching the last door a guard was following us up the stairs.

Ultimately it comes down to how far you want to push it.
Like HornetWrath said
Is it worth explaining to your employer or potential employer your hobby is criminal trespassing?


Personally because of the vast uncertainty of alarms and sensors I would spend a great deal of time weighing the rewards of possibly getting caught.





UER Forum > Rookie Forum > How to avoid alarms? (Viewed 2578 times)


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